Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov believes his $5,000 fine and teammate Carson Soucy’s one-game suspension was a result of the NHL being afraid of what would happen if it took no action against either player.

The punishment for both players came after they both cross-checked Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid following Vancouver’s 4-3 win in Game 3 of their second-round series on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, that’s the world we live in,” Zadorov told reporters. “Sometimes, social media and public views can create some hard decisions for specific people and might make questionable decisions at the end of the day. They have to protect their investment, that’s my understanding of this situation.”

Zadorov — who has two goals and four points along with seven shots on goal in three games against the Oilers, in which he’s averaged 19:28 of ice time per game — cross-checked McDavid from behind while Soucy struck him in the face as he was falling to the ice. McDavid’s body bent back awkwardly as he fell.

The 29-year-old defenseman maintains there was no ill intent toward McDavid, and he says he was simply defending his teammate after seeing McDavid take a swipe at Soucy with his stick after the final whistle blew.

“It’s a hockey play, there’s a lot of sticks, it’s hard to see over there and there was no intention to hurt anyone,” Zadorov added. “I saw my teammate get slashed, and I had to step in there, like I have been for 11 years.”

The Canucks lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 with Game 4 Tuesday night in Edmonton at 9:30 p.m. ET.

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